So door frames structurally are pretty different from just having a 1x6 on each side, and if you’re not finding studs above the door I’d be a little concerned. Even if this is designed to utilize trim it’s still reliant on that framing to support the weight.
15 lbs doesn’t seem like much until it’s bouncing like nonstop, and worse case here is you bring some shoddy framing down on your little one.
To answer your question though, no matter what you should screw horizontally. There’s some mechanical advantages and less failure modes.
Marcus_Marinara t1_j2d0vio wrote
Reply to Hanging 15 lbs child from a 1x6 over head. Which supports more downward force - screwing horizontally into the 1” edge, or vertically straight up into the 6” face? by Jolly-Performer
So door frames structurally are pretty different from just having a 1x6 on each side, and if you’re not finding studs above the door I’d be a little concerned. Even if this is designed to utilize trim it’s still reliant on that framing to support the weight.
15 lbs doesn’t seem like much until it’s bouncing like nonstop, and worse case here is you bring some shoddy framing down on your little one.
To answer your question though, no matter what you should screw horizontally. There’s some mechanical advantages and less failure modes.
Probably I’m just being overly anxious, though.